How Are You Doing, Really?

By Robert G. McNeill, DDS, MD, MBA, FICD, FACD

Burnout is something I understand deeply. I’ve felt the weight of exhaustion, questioning how to keep going while caring for my patients, team, family and myself. As dentists, we know this burden isn’t unique. According to the American Dental Association (ADA) Well-Being Index, 56% of dentists report feeling distressed or struggling.

But what happens when those struggles feel impossible to share? For years, questions on license renewal forms, like “Have you ever been treated for depression or substance abuse?” forced many providers into silence. Fear of stigma kept people from seeking help.

In 2023, the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners removed outdated and stigmatizing “have you ever” questions, replacing them with a single inquiry focused on current impairment: “Are you currently suffering from any condition for which you are not being appropriately treated that impairs your judgment or that would otherwise adversely impact your ability to practice in a competent, ethical and professional manner?”

Shortly after these changes, a friend shared how this new question allowed him to seek treatment for alcohol use disorder and suicidal ideations without fear of stigma.

This issue isn’t limited to Texas. We need nationwide reform. This year, the ADA House of Delegates adopted a resolution urging dental boards to review and update these questions. I’m hopeful that Florida will be among the states leading this change.

Stress in dentistry has only grown since the pandemic. From patient care to financial pressures, the challenges are real — and ignoring them carries risks. Research shows that provider well-being directly impacts patient safety.

As providers and colleagues, we must ask ourselves: How are we truly doing? Are we taking time to recharge and care for ourselves? I’ve learned firsthand the importance of putting on your oxygen mask first because you can’t pour from an empty cup.

To my peers in Florida, I encourage you to take the ADA Well-Being Index (ADA.org/wellness) and check in on each other. Let’s work together to remove stigma, protect our profession and ensure that every provider feels safe enough to seek help when needed. The path forward depends on collaboration between dental associations, educators, regulators and clinicians. Many lives depend on it.

This article first appeared in the Jan/Feb 2025 issue of Today’s FDA.